Gomphus schneiderii

• Scientific name: Gomphus schneiderii Selys, 1850
• English name: Turkish Clubtail
• German name: Türkische Keiljungfer
• French name: N/A
• Dutch name: Turkse rombout
• Swedish name: N/A
• Norwegian name: N/A
• Finnish name: N/A
• Danish name: N/A
• Italian name: N/A
• Czech name: N/A
• Slovenian name: N/A
• Bulgarian name: N/A
• Typical length: 40-48 mm
• Hindwing: 29-31 mm

Gomphus schneiderii

Map data based on J.-P. Boudot & V. J. Kalkman (eds.),
Atlas of the European Dragonflies and Damselflies

To all intents and purposes the Turkish Clubtail (Gomphus schneiderii) is the blue-eyed Eastern twin of the Common Clubtail (G. vulgatissimus). Structurally the two species are very similar, but the colour of the eyes (blue rather than green) and of the thorax (yellow rather than greenish) does give the Turkish Clubtail a different look. Another difference we noticed in the field is that Gomphus schneiderii seems much more approachable and less wary of nosy photographers than its Western European sibling - either that or we were plain lucky. In Europe the species is restricted to Greece and some of its islands (e.g. Lesbos, Corfu and Lefkada).